There is something so delightful about the complementary flavor match up of chicken bacon and ranch. You can have it so many different ways – sandwiches, pastas, burgers, and yes – Pizza! By adding a little zip to the ranch sauce and a few jalapenos on top – you get a delicious heat from this pizza as well. This Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza is goin to be a real win for a weeknight meal or a game day celebration..
As with every pizza recipe I share, I provide my own dough recipe at the bottom of the recipe. It is surprisingly easy to make fresh pizza dough – even on a weeknight after work. It only needs 45-60 minutes to proof the dough – less if your oven has a proofing setting. I have also recently learned that if you place the dough in the oven with it turned off, but with the oven light on, it can produce just enough warmth to slightly speed the proofing process.
Substitutes and Variations:
If you want the flavors of chicken bacon ranch but not hte spiciness – you can just skip the jalapenos. Both the fresh and the flakes added to the sauce can be omitted and the pizza will still be a success. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of the chicken breast if you prefer dark meat. You can also use a combination of chedar and montery jack cheese if you like that better.
Suggestions for Sides:
I always love to serve a salad with pizza and this Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza is no different. For this one I set up a mini salad bar with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, onion and cheese. Then everyone can make their own little side salad.
Tools that may make this recipe easier:
I use a standard half sheet baking pan to bake these pizzas. Some people scouff at Rectangular pizza but it really all tastes the same. If you want to make them round and have pizza pans then by all means go for it. I also always put parchment paper on my baking sheets so that clean up is a breeze.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Pizza Dough makes 2 pizzas, see recipe below
- 1 lb Bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 Fresh Jalapenos cut into ¼ inch slices
- 3 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
For the Chicken
- 4 Chicken Breast
- 1 tbsp Ranch Seasoning see recipe below
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
For the Ranch Sauce
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 3 tbsp Ranch Seasoning
- 1 tsp Jalapeno Pepper Flakes or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine Chicken ingredients in a gallon zippered bag. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to over night)
- Prepare Pizza Dough as directed in recipe below. If you using different recipe or store bought pre-made pizza crust, follow directions of product up to point of adding toppings to pizza.
- Combine Ranch Sauce ingredients in a mason jar. Shake vigorously until thoroughly combined. Place in refrigerator until ready to build the pizzas.
- Preheat Grill to 400degF or High heat. Remove chicken from marinade. Grill for 8-10 minutes on each side. Remove from grill once thickest part of the chicken has reached a temp of 165degF internally. Remove to a cutting board and let rest before slicing into half-inch thick pieces.
- In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add bacon. Make sure to keep the pieces flat while cooking. Flip each piece as needed, cooking until crispy and remove to a paper towel covered plate.
- To build one pizza – smear parbaked crust with ¾ cup of ranch sauce. Then sprinkle with one cup of shredded cheese. Add half of chicken slices, half of bacon and half of jalapeno slices. Sprinkle with a half cup of cheese. Repeat with second pizza.
- Place in oven to bake for 10 minutes. Slice and serve with remaining ranch sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
Thin Crust Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Yeast instant
- ⅓ cup Oil
- 1½ cup Warm Water
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tsp Salt
- 4½ cups Flour
Instructions
- Prepare all of the ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and oil. Let sit to activate for about 10 minutes. Yeast should become foamy.
- Add flour to activated yeast mixture. Stir together until a sticky dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to proof for about an hour (until dough has doubled in size)
- Preheat oven to 425degF.
- Once risen, split into two equal halves. Add one half of dough to floured surface and use a rolling pin to press out into ¼-in thick in the shape of the baking sheet. Move to parchment paper covered baking sheet. Spray with cooking oil.
- Bake for 8 minutes.
- Continue to pizza recipe directions.
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